UP spokesperson Justin Jacobs says part of the tunnel roof collapsed on Tuesday afternoon, impacting about 50 feet of track. The collapse occurred while maintenance was being conducted on the tunnel but no one was injured in the incident.
UP expects the former Southern Pacific route to be closed for 7 to 10 days or longer, depending on how much time repairs take. UP officials say the tunnel is in a “remote and difficult-to-access location.”
Jacobs tells Trains News Wire some trains will be rerouted through Bend on BNSF Railway’s Oregon Trunk Subdivision or via Salt Lake City.
Amtrak is busing passengers aboard the Coast Starlight between Klamath Falls and Eugene. Amtrak spokesperson Marc Magliari tells Trains News Wire that passengers were already being bused between the two points because of scheduled maintenance on the tunnel and that service will be continued until further notice. Magliari says that northbound passengers could face extended delays due to busing and Amtrak is encouraging anyone who is traveling between Eugene and Seattle to take a regularly scheduled Cascades train.
